The complete plastome of Panax stipuleanatus: Comparative and phylogenetic analyses of the genus Panax(Araliaceae)

Panax stipuleanatus(Araliaceae) is an endangered and medicinally important plant endemic to China.However, phylogenetic relationships within the genus Panax have remained unclear. In this study, we sequenced the complete plastome of P. stipuleanatus and included previously reported Panax plastomes to better understand the relationships between species and plastome evolution within the genus Panax.The plastome of P. stipuleanatus is 156,069 base pairs(bp) in length, consisting of a pair of inverted repeats(IRs, each 25,887 bp) that divide the plastome into a large single copy region(LSC, 86,126 bp) and a small single copy region(SSC, 8169 bp). The plastome contains 114 unigenes(80 protein-coding genes,30 tRNA genes, and 4 r RNA genes). Comparative analyses indicated that the plastome gene content and order, as well as the expansion/contraction of the IR regions, are all highly conserved within Panax. No significant positive selection in the plastid protein-coding genes was observed across the eight Panax species, suggesting the Panax plastomes may have undergone a strong purifying selection. Our phylogenomic analyses resulted in a phylogeny with high resolution and supports for Panax. Nine proteincoding genes and 10 non-coding regions presented high sequence divergence, which could be useful for identifying different Panax species.

Effects of combined infrared and hot-air drying on ginsenosides and drying characteristics of Panax notoginseng(Araliaceae)roots

Exploring new drying technology can help to deal with the challenge of better preservation of rhizome medicinal materials in the traditional Chinese medicine industry.In current work,combined infrared and hot-air drying(IR-HAD)was employed to Panax notoginseng roots and its effect on drying kinetics,energy efficiency and quality,i.e.,rehydration ratio(RR),color parameters(L^(*),a^(*),b^(*)),total color difference(ΔE),Panax notoginseng saponins(PNS)content,and ginsenosides content(R_(1),R^(g1),R_(e),R_(d),R_(b1))were evaluated.Hot air drying(HAD)was used as the control.Results showed that the increase in drying temperature significantly shortened drying time and reduced energy consumption.The shortest drying time of 43.0 h and lowest specific energy consumption of 15.9 kW·h/(kg-water)were obtained by IR-HAD at 55°C.The decrease of radiation distance and the increase of radiation power led to the shortening of drying time.However,high drying temperature resulted in largeΔE values,large collapse structure,and RR of samples.The drying time of Panax notoginseng roots dried by IR-HAD at a drying temperature of 50°C was shorter(15.5%)than HAD dried at the same drying temperature.The contents of R_(1),R_(g1),R_(e),R_(b1),and PNS were higher when the samples were dried by IR-HAD than those dried by HAD at the same temperature of 50°C.Moreover,the IR-HAD dried samples shortened 15.5%drying time and saved 22.1%energy consumption compared with HAD.Therefore,the optimal process condition was Panax notoginseng roots under IR-HAD at drying temperature of 50°C,radiation distance of 12 cm and radiation power of 1350 W,which can shorten drying time,maintain high ginsenosides contents and satisfactory apparent qualities.

Triterpenoid Saponins from the Root Bark of Aralia taibaiensis

从太白木（ＡｒａｌｉａｔａｉｂａｉｅｎｓｉｓＺ．Ｚ．ＷａｎｇｅｔＨ．Ｃ．Ｚｈｅｎｇ）根皮中首次分离得到四个三萜皂甙，根据理化性质和光谱数据，分别鉴定为齐墩果酸３Ｏ［βＤ吡喃木糖（１→２）］［βＤ吡喃葡萄糖（１→３）］βＤ吡喃葡萄糖醛酸甙（１），ｔａｒａｓａｐｏｎｉｎⅤ（２），３Ｏ｛［βＤ吡喃木糖（１→２）］［βＤ吡喃葡萄糖（１→３）］βＤ吡喃葡萄糖醛酸乙酯｝齐墩果酸２８ＯβＤ吡喃葡萄糖甙（３）和３Ｏ｛［βＤ吡喃木糖（１→２）］［βＤ吡喃葡萄糖（１→３）］βＤ吡喃葡萄糖醛酸丁酯｝齐墩果酸２８ＯβＤ吡喃葡萄糖甙（４）。１为新天然产物，３和４为新化合物，分别命名为太白木皂甙Ⅵ（ｔａｉｂａｉｅｎｏｓｉｄｅⅥ）、太白木皂甙Ⅶ（ｔａｉｂａｉｅｎｏｓｉｄｅⅦ）和太白木皂甙Ⅷ（ｔａｉｂａｉｅｎｏｓｉｄｅⅧ）。

Chemical Studies on the Glycosides in the Leaves of Oplopanax Elatus Nakai(Ⅳ)

The further investigation of the chemical constituents of the leaves of Oplopanax elatus Nakai led to the isolation of two new triterpenoid saponins, named Cirensenosides M(1) and N(2). The structures of the two saponins were elucidated as 3 α hydroxyolean 9(11), 12 diene 28 oic acid 28 O α L rhamnopyranosyl (1→4) β D glucopyranosyl (1→6) β D glucopyranoside(1) and 3 α hydroxyolean 11,13(18) diene 28 oic acid 28 O α L rhamnopyranosyl (1→4) β D glucopyranosyl(1→6) β D glucopyranoside(2), respectively.

Two new acetylated ginsenosides from the roots of Panax quinquefolium

Two new acetylated ginsenosides, 20（S）-protopanaxatriol-6-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl （1 → 2）-β-D-6＇-O-acetylglucopyranoside （1） and 20（R）-protopanaxatrol-6-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl （1 → 2）-β-o-6＇-O-acetylglucopyranoside （2）, were isolated from the roots of Panax quinquefolium. The structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic techniques and chemical means.

Effects of harvest intensity on the marketable organ yield,growth and reproduction of non-timber forest products(NTFPs):implication for conservation and sustainable utilization of NTFPs

Background:Non-timber forest products(NTFPs)are an important part of forest biodiversity,and the subsistence and trade of local people,especially in less developed countries.Because of the high ecological and economic value,NTFPs have faced the problem of over-exploitation,and the key to solve this problem is to determine the feasible way of sustainable utilization of NTFPs.Harvest intensity is one of the most important and easily controlled utilization factors,which can greatly influence the plant individual survival,growth and reproductive performances,and even the population structure and dynamics.Therefore,we chose two common and important NTFPs species with different marketable parts(i.e.,Acanthopanax senticosus with tender leaves and Aralia elata with tender buds)as our study objects.Aiming to determine the optimum harvest intensity for sustainably utilizing both NTFPs species,five levels of harvest intensity treatments(i.e.,control,light,medium,high and severe)were designed to assess the effects of harvest intensity on their marketable organ yield,plant growth and reproductive performances.Results:The biomass growth rates of marketable organ and plant growth of A.senticosus under light harvest intensity treatment were significantly higher than those under other harvest intensities.The plant height growth and 1000-seed weight of A.elata under severe harvest intensity treatment were significantly lower than those under control treatment.Conclusions:The light harvest intensity with 25% leaf removal and the high harvest intensity with all terminal buds harvested are the optimum harvest intensity to maintain the sustainable utilization of A.senticosus and A.elata,respectively.These findings could provide managers with basic but practical guidance for making decisions about the sustainable harvest management plan for the cultivated NTFPs species,and further provide a theoretical basis for managers to establish the harvest regulations for wild NTFPs species.Consequently,the local residents or communities can improve their income while ensure the sustainable development of wild NTFPs.

A New Dammarane Glycoside, Ginsenoside Ⅲ from the Flower-buds of Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer

From the dried flower-buds of Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer, a new ndnor dammaranetype triterpene saponin named ginsenoside III was iso1ated. On the basis of spectral and chemical evidence, the structure of the new saponin was elucidated as 3 -O- [β-D -glucopyranosyl (1→2 ) - βD- glucopyranosyl] - 20-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl 3 β, 12β- 20(S) -trihydroxydammar- 25 - en- 24-one.

Chemical Compositions of the Leaf Essential Oils of <i>Aralia spinosa</i>from Three Habitats in Northern Alabama

Aralia spinosa leaves were collected from three different habitats in north Alabama. The leaf essential oils were collected by hydrodistillation and analyzed by gas chromatography / mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The most abundant components of A. spinosa essential oils were the sesquiterpenes germacrene D (28.0% - 37.3%), (E)-caryophyllene (8.2% - 15.7%), and α-humulene (1.9% - 4.9%);the monoterpene myrcene (up to 15.1%), and the fatty-acid-derivative (2E)-hexenal (trace to 28.9%). Fatty-acid derivatives and monoterpene hydrocarbons were more abundant in samples from suburban Huntsville than those from “natural” habitats (Monte Sano Mountain, Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge), while sesquiterpene hydrocarbons were more abundant in the natural/wild samples.

GC-MS Analysis of the Essential Oil and Methanol Extract of the Seeds of Steganotaenia araliacea Hochst

Background: Steganotaenia araliacea is a multipurpose plant and has wider applications in the folklore for the treatment of various ailments. Previously the presence of antileukemic lignan lactones and saponins was detected in the stem bark, root and leaf of Steganotaenia araliacea. Besides, the diuretic and antibacterial activities of the plant were reported. However, there has been no attempt to examine the constituents of the seeds of Steganotaenia araliacea. This paper reports the first such study of both the essential oil and methanol extract of the seeds of the plant. Methods: The seeds of the plant were shade dried, pounded and thus extracted using methanol. Besides, the essential oil of the seeds was collected using steam distillation. The components of the methanol extract were studied both by GC-MS and preliminary phytochemical studies;the essential oil was running on GC-MS for analysis. Results: The GC-MS analysis of the essential oil of the seeds identified the presence of α-linalool, α-pinene, m-cresol, p-menth-1-en-4-ol, p-menth-1-en-8-ol, myristicin and others. Besides, the methanol extract of the seeds showed the presence of falcarinol, apiol, scoparone, stigmasterol, myristicin etc. The preliminary phytochemical analysis of the methanol extract of the seeds confirms the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, coumarines, steroids, and phenols. Conclusion: This plant contains bioactive metabolites and thus can be used as an alternative and complementary medicine in treatment of different ailments. However, further studies on the bioactivity and toxicity of the plant should be done.

Loss of Genetic Diversity of Domesticated Panax notoginseng F H Chen as Evidenced by ITS Sequence and AFLP Polymorphism： A Comparative Study with P. stipuleanatus H T Tsai et K M Feng

In the present study, we evaluated the genetic diversity of Panax notoginseng F H Chen, a domesticated species, and P. stipuleanatus H T Tsai et K M Feng, an endangered wild species in southeastern Yunnan and adjacent areas in Vietnam, using sequences of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions of nuclear ribosomal DNA and amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers. Twenty-four accessions from three plantations of P. notoginseng and 51 samples from eight populations of P. stipuleanatus were assayed. A total of 694 bp of partial sequences of 18S, ITS 1, 5.8S, ITS2, and partial sequences of 26S were obtained. No sequence variation was detected within P. notoginseng and nine sites (1.30%) were variable in P. stipuleanatus. Two-thirds of the variable sites were found between Langqiao and other populations. In P. notoginseng, four pairs of AFLP primer combinations generated 312 bands, of which 240 (76.9%) were polymorphic and 60.15% of the polymorphisms were harbored within plantations. Approximately 41.0% and 66.9% of bands were polymorphic in population D7 and 5589, respectively. In P.stipuleanatus, the same four primer combinations produced 346 bands, of which 334 (96.5%) were polymorphic and approximately 62.14% of polymorphisms were maintained within populations. Considerable variations were observed. The percentage of polymorphic bands ranged from 50.2% to 84.9% and the average over populations was 70.9%. Cluster analysis did not show correlation of genetic differentiation with the distinctive leaf morphology of P. stipuleanatus (i.e. one form with bipinnatifid leaflets and the other with undivided leaflets). Because over 40% of genetic variations were maintained among populations and because of the very restricted distribution of P. stipuleanatus, all natural populations of this species should be conserved in situ. Considering that there are variations in P. notoginseng within and among plantations, we suggest establishing a genetic resource conservation garden or reintroducing P. notoginseng into its native habitats in southwestern China. Such reintroduction should be carefully executed after large-scale screening of genetic variation within the species.

Process performance and quality attributes of temperature and step-down relative humidity controlled hot air drying of Panax notoginseng roots

The effects of temperature and step-down relative humidity controlled hot-air drying(THC-HAD)on the drying kinetics,energy efficiency and quality,i.e.,rehydration ratio(RR),color parameters(L*,a*,b*),total color difference(ΔE*),Panax notoginseng saponins(PNS)content,and ginsenosides content(R1,Rg1,Re,Rd,Rb1)of Panax notoginseng roots were evaluated.The drying time was significantly affected by the drying temperature followed by the relative humidity(RH)of the drying air.Special combination of drying conditions,i.e.,drying temperature of 50°C,relative humidity of 40%for 3 h and then continuous dehumidification from 40%to 8%allowed to shorten the drying time by 25%compared to drying at the same temperature and continuous dehumidification.The longer was the drying time under constant high RH of drying air,the lower was the RR of dried samples.The step-down RH strategy contributed to the formation of a porous structure,enhancement of drying efficiency and quality improvement.Generally,the ginsenosides content increased with the increase in temperature,while no obvious trend was recorded for ginsenoside R1.The contents of the ginsenoside R1,Rg1,Rb1 and PNS decreased with the increase in the drying time under constant high RH.Taking into account the drying time,energy consumption and quality attributes,drying at the temperature of 50°C,constant RH of 40%for 3 h and then step-down RH from 40%to 8%was proposed as the most favorable combination of drying conditions for dehydration of whole Panax notoginseng roots.

Saponins from Roots of Panax notoginseng

Objective To study the chemical constituents in the dried roots of Panax notoginseng.Methods The constituents were isolated and purified with chromatographic methods.Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods（1D,2D NMR,UV,IR,[α]D,and HRESI-TOF-MS）and chemical analyses.Results Twenty saponins including 20（S）-ginsenoside Rh1（1）,6-O-β-D-（6′-acetyl）-glucopyranosyl-24-ene-dammar-3β,6α,12β,20S-tetraol（2）,ginseno-side Rf（3）,notoginsenoside R2（4）,ginsenoside Rg2（5）,ginsenoside Rg1（6）,notoginsenoside Rt（7）,koryoginsenoside R1（8）,6-O-（β-D-glucopyranosyl）-20-O-（β-D-xylopyranosyl）-3β,6α,12β,20（S）-tetrahydroxy-dammar-24-ene（9）,pseudoginsenoside Rt3（10）,notoginsenoside R1（11）,ginsenoside Re（12）,notoginsenoside N（13）,ginsenoside F1（14）,ginsenoside U（15）,ginsenoside Rk3（16）,3β,12β-dihydroxydammar-（E）-20（22）,24-diene-6-O-β-D-xylopyranosyl-（1→2）-β-D-glucopyranoside（17）,ginsenoside Rh4（18）,pseudoginsenoside Rt5（19）,and vinaginsenoside R22（20）were obtained.Conclusion Compounds 2,19,and 20 are isolated from this species for the first time.The 1H-NMR data of compound 19 and1H-NMR and 13C-NMR data of compound 20 are first reported.Meanwhile,the NMR data ofβ-D-xylopyranosyl group in compound 9 is corrected.

Cloning and Bioinformatic Analysis of HMGS and HMGR Genes from Panax notoginseng

Objective To clone and analyze 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme-A synthase（HMGS） and 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme-A reductase（HMGR） genes from Panax notoginseng of four-year old during the flowering period, the key genes involved in the mevalonic acid pathway for saponin biosynthesis. Methods The cDNA sequences of PnHMGS1 and PnHMGR2 were obtained by reverse transcription PCR（RT-PCR） and rapid amplification of cDNA ends（RACE） methods and were analyzed in their secondary structures, subcellular localizations, domains, and the three-dimensional structures of putative proteins by the bioinformatics tools. Fusion genes were constructed by the prokaryotic expression system. Results The two genes were cloned, named as PnHMGS1 and PnHMGR2, respectively, and were both predicted to be located in the chloroplast. PnHMGS1（1410 bp） encoded a predictive unstable protein with 469 amino acids and covered hydroxymethylglutaryl-Co A synthase domain. PnHMGR2（1690 bp） also encoded an unstable protein with 589 amino acids and possessed a hydroxymethylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase domain and two transmembrane regions. Both of the genes were expressed most in flowers followed by roots, stems, and least in leaves. Conclusion PnHMGS1 and PnHMGR2 are firstly cloned from P.notoginseng as the new member of the HMGR family,and they show the same expression profile as P.ginseng and P.quinquefolius.

A New ent-Kaurane Glycoside from the Stems of Acanthopanax gracilistylus

Objective To study the chemical constituents from the stems of Acanthopanax gracilistylus. Methods The chemical constituents of the plant were isolated and puried by column chromatography and their structures were elucidated on the basis of physicochemical properties and spectral data. Results A new ent-kaurane glycoside, named kaurane acid glycoside A { 16α,17-dihydroxy-ent-kauran-19-oic 19-[β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→2)-β-D-glucopyranosyl] ester} (1), was isolated from the n-butanol part. Conclusion Compound 1 is a new one.

Chemical Constituents from Leaves of Oplopanax horridus

Objective To study the chemical constituents from the leaves of Oplopanax horridus. Methods The chemical constituents were isolated and purified by column chromatography on silica gel and Sephadex LH-20 gel columns, 1H-NMR and 13C-NMR were applied for the identification of chemical structure. Results Ten compounds were isolated and identified as dammara-20,24-dien-3β-ol acetate（1）, phytol（2）, 16 Z,19Z-pentacosadienoic acid（3）, β-sitosterol（4）,（3S,8S）-falcarindiol（5）, maltol（6）, acankoreagenin（7）, daucosterol（8）, stigmasterol-3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside（9）, and acankoreoside A（10）. Conclusion Compounds 1-3, 6, and 10 are isolated from this plant for the first time. Compounds 1-3 and 6 are isolated from the plants in genus Oplopanax Miq. for the first time. Moreover, Compounds 1, 3, and 6 are isolated from the plants in the family of Araliaceae for the first time.

IMMUNOPOTENTIATING POLYSACCHARIDES OF ACANTHOPANAX SENTICOSUS (RUPR.ET MAXIM.) HARMS

Acanthopanax senticosus (Rupr. et Maxim.) Harms or Eleutherococcus senticosus Maxim (Araliaceae) is a small tree and is widely distributed in the northeast area of our country. The roots of this plant are commonly used in Chinese traditional medicine as tonics as well as sedative agent and was named Ci Wu Jia. It is described in Chinese classical pharmacopeia Ben-Cao-Gnag-Mu for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and weakness. Soviet scientists have reported the isolation of several glyco-